Dose dispenser having a molded plastic housing with a cavity and a metallic foil wall covering the cavity

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispensing container particularly for single-use dispensing of eye medication and self-application of eye drop. The container for the liquid storage cavity has a molded plastic housing and at least one metallic foil wall secured to form an exterior wall of the housing and a flexible cavity wall. The foil wall is manually squeezable or deformable to enable a reduction in the volume of the cavity and compression and displacement of the medication therefrom. The foil wall is impervious to water vapor transmission out of the cavity which extends the shelf life of the stored container. The foil wall is also conveniently printed with labelling text and color. The plastic housing has an integrally molded nozzle which combine to control displaced flow and drop size of the dispensed medication.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No.07/992,158 filed Dec. 17, 1992, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensing containers, and moreparticularly with respect to the illustrated embodiment relates todispensers for the self-application of eye-drop medications.

Semi-viscus eye-drop medications for sustained release have beenpackaged in dispensers for self-application of the medication in theform of prefilled dispensers as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.5,040,706. Such dispensers include an integral nozzle tip and a flexibleplastic body of low density which can be manually squeezed to expressdrops from the nozzle particularly into the ocular cul-de-sac. However,the described integral container-dispensers have required prefillingwith medication under sterile conditions since the flexible plasticdispensers cannot withstand autoclaving. Such dispensers also have ashelf life governed by the porosity of the thin, flexible, low densitypolyethylene or polypropylene from which the containers are molded whichis subject to water vapor transmission loss. Furthermore, thesedispensers employ a break-off cap structure resulting in a residual burron the nozzle which interferes with proper size and direction of adispensed drop into the eye, and the burr can also be hazardous wheninadvertently contacted with the eye. Additionally, these dispensers arevery difficult to mold since the integral, angled nozzle on theunitarily molded dispenser body requires both an internal core and aretractable core pin which must be perfectly aligned and mated in orderto provide a continuous flow conduit and discharge port. These dualcores present problems in mating, breaking, and increased molding cycletime.

Another eye drop dispenser package is described in U.S. Pat. No.4,871,091, in which the package walls are peeled to form a spoutopening. The peeling of the walls creates potential for a torn edge atthe spout discharge forming an eye hazard in dispensing the eye dropsand no control over drop size and direction. These and otherdisadvantages are eliminated by the dispensers constructed according tothe present invention.

While the present invention was developed and is disclosed herein inconjunction with a dispenser for eye medication, it is not intended thatthe invention be limited to this specific use. It is envisioned thatthere may be other uses for the dispenser where simple or limited doseapplications are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a liquiddispensing container particularly for single-use dispensing of eyemedication and self-application of eye drop is disclosed. The containerincludes a molded plastic housing which defines a liquid storage cavityand at least-one metallic foil wall secured to form an exterior wall ofthe housing and cavity. The foil wall is manually deformable to reducethe cavity volume or enable compression of and displacement of themedication therefrom and can be laminated for increased strength. Thefoil wall is impervious to water vapor transmission from the cavitywhich extends the shelf life of the stored container. The foil wall isalso conveniently printed with labelling text and color.

The container also has a discharge nozzle portion integrally molded withthe housing, and a closure cap removably disposed on the nozzle to sealthe discharge port prior to use. Integral, open molding enables combineddimensional accuracy and contour in the cavity and nozzle discharge, toprecisely control resulting drop size of dispensed medication,particularly thixotropic gel. The foil wall extends into sealingengagement with the closure cap. Removal of the closure cap retains theportion of the foil wall sealed to the cap and the resulting tear in thefoil wall provides tamper evidence even when the cap is replaced.

In one embodiment, the nozzle and the closure cap include couplingstructure which allows selective retention or removal of the cap for asingle dispensing of the medication, but an obstruction retentionstructure prevents reattachment of the cap to the nozzle whichdiscourages reuse of the dispenser and prevents potential septic dangerfrom later reuse.

In modified embodiments, the closure cap is pivotally secured to thehousing so that removal of the closure cap from the nozzle enables pivotof the cap into guided position to form a plunger which can be pressedinto one of the foil walls to displace the liquid for dischargedapplication into the eye. The guided plunging enables precisely directedsqueezing of the foil wall and discharge control of the liquiddisplaced.

In additional embodiments, the plastic housing includes a rigid bottomwall of the container to facilitate molded contouring of the reservoircavity to conform to a finger which promotes stability when the userpresses a finger into the upper foil wall and complete displacement ofthe medication as the pressing finger reaches the correspondinglycontoured molded lower wall of the cavity.

The housing is made from thick walls not requiring flexibility and arelatively high density thermoplastic material, such as high densitypolypropylene and as such can withstand autoclaving or heatsterilization temperatures. Similarly, the foil material also is of atype and kind that can withstand autoclaving. Thus, with the dispensingcontainer of the present invention, the dispenser can be filled and heatsterilized or autoclaved after filling, which simplifies the manufactureand filling procedures vis-a-vis the prior art designs. Also, since thematerials employed are of a higher density, longer shelf life is alsoattained, both features of which are distinct and significant advantagesover the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of a first embodiment of a liquiddispensing container according to the invention in position fordispensing medication therefrom into a user's eye;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dispensing container shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along a plane indicated by line 3--3 in FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along a plane indicated by line 4--4 in FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along a vertical plane through the assembledcontainer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing removal of a capportion of the container;

FIG. 7 is an exploded sectional view along a vertical plane through asecond embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view along a vertical plane through athird embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing pivotal movement ofa combined cap and plunger member.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of acontainer in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view along a plane indicated by line 11--11 inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of molds to form the plastic housing of thecontainer shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary exploded view of nozzle and cap portions of afifth embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 14-16 are sectional views showing sequential rotation of the capfor removal from the nozzle shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the internal retentionstructure within the cap shown in FIG. 13; and

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of a discharge channel in asixth embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a dispensing container inaccordance with the present invention, designated generally by areference character 10, is shown just prior to manual squeezing thereoffor self-application of liquid drops into an ocular cul-de-sac A. Thecontainer 10 has an integral nozzle 12 which forms a negative angle withthe body 14 which facilitates delivery of the medication as drops intothe eye while looking into a mirror and allows the user's hand to beheld below the line of sight and out of the way along the cheek.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body 14 and the nozzle 12 are integrally moldedpreferably from plastic, for example high density polypropylene, whichcan be autoclaved or heat sterilized. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,the body or housing 14 is molded as a frame with upper and lower curvinginternal walls 16 and 18 which oppositely taper inwardly and terminateto form the periphery of an internal aperture 20 as well as a contouredcavity 22 which serves as a liquid medication reservoir of single usevolume for example approximately 3-7 eye drops, to prevent septic dangerfrom attempted reuse. In the first container embodiment 10, the cavity22 is enclosed from above and below by metallic foil walls 24 and 26which form the respective upper and lower walls of the cavity 22. Thefoil walls 24 and 26 are heat sealed to the plastic body 14. The foil,for example aluminum, can be laminated for example with plastic such aspolypropylene or polyester, to improve puncture resistance and generalstrength.

The narrow frame configuration of the body 14 serves to minimize thesurface area subject to exposure to water vapor transmission through thethick, non-flexible polypropylene exterior surface, and the metallicfoil walls 24 and 26 are impervious to external water vapor, thusgreatly extending shelf life of the stored container. Additionally, thefoil is capable of being printed with text, color or other indicia, andmay be somewhat larger than the body 14 where desired, for example forincreased printing. The foil walls 24 and 26 are flexible and easilysqueezed with light finger pressure as depicted in FIG. 1 to reduce thevolume of the reservoir cavity 22 and compress and displace themedication from the communicating conduit slot 28 formed through thebridge portion 30 which provides flow shear on thixotropic fluid,leading to the nozzle bore 13 through which the resulting liquid isdischarged. Since the foil walls are squeezable, the frame body 14 andbracing ribs 17 can be rigid allowing it to be molded from plastic whichwill withstand autoclave or other high temperature sterilization afterthe medication is filled and sealed into the container 10.

The discharge nipple and port 32 from the nozzle 12 are dimensioned topromote discharge of an adequate drop size with a nozzle inclination Bof approximately 75° relative to the bridge portion 30 and body 14. Thesmooth discharge port 32 is accurately molded without flash or burr, asdescribed hereinafter with reference to FIG. 12, so that the dischargeddrop can be reliably directed with light finger pressure on the foilwalls 24 and 26. The smoothly molded nipple is not hazardous should itinadvertently contact the eye during self-application.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a removable cap 34 is provided to cover thenozzle 12 and seal the discharge port 32 during storage until medicationuse. The cap 34 has a sealing tab 36 to which the upper foil 24 issealed by a flap 25. The flap can be optionally molded integrally aspart of the body 14. Removal of the cap 34 with a manual twisting motionfacilitated by an integral flange 38, results in tearing away of theflap 25 from the foil 24 so that the flap 25 is retained on the covertab 36 as shown in FIG. 6. If the cover 34 is subsequently replaced onthe nozzle 12 in the original position of FIG. 5, the demarcation of thetear between the flap 25 and main foil 24 provides visible tamperevidence for discard. Additionally, the sealed flap 25 and tab 36 alsopromote secured retention of the cap 34 during container storage.Optionally, a "perf" line 23 can be fabricated to facilitate tearing ofthe flap 25 in cap removal.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, there is provided a fillingport 40 through the end of the body 14 opening into the cavity 22 whichcan be sealed after filling by a seal flap 42 extending from the upperfoil 24 as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Alternatively, the seal flap maybe formed on the lower foil 26, or it can be a separate foil component.As such, the container with the foil walls or overlays 24 and 26 inplace, but with the seal flap 42 open can be delivered to themanufacturer of the medication. The medication is introduced into thecavity 22 by a filling machine and thereafter the flap 42 is closed toseal the filling port 40. The filled and sealed container 10 can besubsequently autoclaved or heat sterilized. Thus, the manufacturer ofthe plastic and foil components, the assembler of the components, andthe filling procedures are not subjected to the rigorous sterilityconditions of clean rooms as required by the Food and DrugAdministration.

In use, the cap 34 is removed with the tab 38 facilitating removal. Thecontainer 10 is held and positioned as shown in FIG. 1, and the userneed merely squeeze the-foil wall 24 to reduce the volume of cavity 22and compress the medication contained in said cavity. Compression of themedication in cavity 22 will force medication out of the nozzle 12 intothe user ocular cul-de-sac A. The volume of cavity 22 and the overallconfiguration of the container 10 is designed so that only a limited,predetermined number of drops can be dispensed. Once these aredispensed, i.e. a single dose, the container 10 is discarded. As can beappreciated, the walls 16 and 18 serve to reduce the overall volume ofthe cavity 22 and minimize the amount of medication remaining in thecavity 22 following dispensing, and thus serve to reduce the amount ofmedication discarded with the container 10.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment 100 of a container inaccordance with the invention has a lower wall 115 of plastic integrallymolded with the body 114 so that only the upper wall 124 of cavity 122is a metallic foil. The foil upper wall 124 enables sufficient manualdisplacement inwardly to compress the cavity 122 and expel the containedliquid medication from the nozzle 112 and discharge port 132 in dropssimilar to those from the first container embodiment 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a third container embodiment 200 inaccordance with the invention is shown. This embodiment has a capcomponent, comprised of a cap portion 234 and manual gripping flange204. The cap portion 234 covers the nozzle 212 and seals the dischargeport 232, said cap component 234 is pivotally mounted on a bearing pin202 so that when the cap 234 is pivotally removed from the nozzle 212,facilitated by the gripping flange 204, continued pivotal movement willbring the rounded surface of the cap 234 into proximity to the lowerfoil wall 226 in preparing for application of the liquid medication.Thereafter, using the manual gripping flange 204 the cap 234 can bepressed into the foil wall 226 with light pressure on the grippingflange 204 to reduce the volume of the cavity 222 and compress anddisplace the medication liquid from the curved cavity 222 through theaperture 206 leading to the channel conduit 208 and nozzle bore 213 andexpress drop-like discharge from the port 232. The light fingerapplication pressure is created by incorporating a mechanical advantagein the lever arm. The upper foil wall 224 need not be substantiallydisplaced for proper expressing of the liquid.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a fourth embodiment 300 of a container inaccordance with the invention has an integrally molded body 314, lowerwall 315, and nozzle 312 of rigid plastic, for example high densitypolypropylene, which is essentially non-deformable and can be heat orsteam sterilized. Peripheral bracing ribs 317 also promote rigidity asin the body 314 has a contoured cavity 322 with curving internal walls316 which are shaped and dimensioned to conform to the contour of afinger pressing on the upper foil wall 324 so that the cavity will haveno dead volume and all of the medication can be displaced. Only theactually required volume of medication to be dispensed in single usewill be necessary to fill the reservoir cavity 322. The upper foil wall324 is very pliable and allows easy deformation by a finger into thefinger-contoured cavity 322 to efficiently expel the medication. Therigid body 314 provides a stable base against which the foil wall 324 iscomfortably depressed to focus directed force on the viscous medicationfor flow through the dispensing channel 328. The upper foil wall 324 issterilizable and can be printed on or colored, as well as serving as amoisture or vapor barrier which also resists stretching and piercing,while being selectively finger deformable. A foil side flap 325 issealed to an aligned side tab 336 on the nozzle cap 334.

Referring to FIG. 12, the body 314 can be open molded without need for aretractable core pin by instead using an upper mold 350 which has anintegral, nozzle core 352 which forms the nozzle bore 313. The nozzledischarge port 332 is formed by a core pin 354 which projects upwardlythrough the nozzle 312 and is integral with the bottom mold 356. Thecore pin 354 is received within the core pin 352 at location internal tothe nozzle 312 so that the discharge port 332 is smoothly molded withouta mold parting line and any flash or burr. The discharge port 332 isalways accurately dimensioned and delivers uniformly discharged dropsize with reliably transmitted light finger pressure on the foil wall324. The smoothly formed discharge port 332 is not hazardous ifinadvertently contacted with the eye during self-application of themedication. The capped discharge port 332 is plugged and sealed by a pin331 projecting from the cap 334.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, a fifth embodiment has a removable cap 434which seals the discharge port 432 during storage but also preventsreplacement of the cap and any reuse of the dispenser with potentialseptic contamination following first use. In this embodiment, the nozzle412 as shown in FIGS. 13-16 has a peripheral key 411 which is forcedinto an internally opening cam groove 460 in the cap 434 in a shoehornmanner made possible by manufacturing assembly. The groove 460 serves tolock the cap 434 on the nozzle 412 since the inserted key 411 prevents asimple longitudinal withdrawal of the cap 434 from the nozzle 412 andthus reinforces the seal of the foil wall 424 against the lateral sealtab 436 extending from the cap 434. The cam groove 460 has a generallyhelical configuration as shown in FIG. 17, so that removal of the caprequires a generally twisting action as illustrated by the counterrotation of the cap 434 in FIGS. 14-16. The counter rotation of the cap434 produces riding of the helical groove 460 over the key 411 withconsequent axially forced, camming, withdrawal of the cap 434 from thenozzle 412. The groove 460 has an inclined end 462 which leads twistingrelease of the groove 460 from the key 411 as shown in FIG. 15 so thatwith moderate additional twisting force on the cap 434, a buffer surface464 at the internal radius of the cap rides over and is slightlydeformed away from the key 411. Thereafter, continued rotation of thecap causes entry of the key 411 into a generally rectilinear, releaseslot 466 adjacent to the buffer surface 462 as shown in FIG. 16. As bestshown in FIG. 13, the release slot 466 extends axially and opens throughthe top rim extension 435 through which the key 411 can pass to enablecomplete removal of the cap 434 from the nozzle 412 when the medicationis to be dispensed.

If the user were to attempt to reattach the cap 434 to the nozzle 412beginning by aligning and inserting the key 411 through the release slot466, the rectilinear shoulder 468 of the slot 466 will abut and blockthe key 411 to prevent attempted clockwise twisting of the cap 434 fromthe position shown in FIG. 16. Thus, the cap 434 cannot be resecured tothe nozzle 412 which discourages subsequent reuse of the dispenser sothat the user will dispose of the dispenser after a single applicationof the medication, avoiding potentially septic reuse.

Referring to FIG. 18, in a sixth embodiment of a container in accordancewith the invention, the conduit slot 528 leading from the reservoircavity (not shown) to the nozzle bore 513, is convoluted through aseries of flow baffles 529 which inwardly project from the walls of thehousing bridge 530. The baffles 529 create additional flow resistanceshear through the channel slot 528 which promotes shearing reduction inviscosity of the thixotropic fluid in the displaced flow along thetortuous path indicated by arrow 532. Transformation of the thixotropicgel in the storage cavity to liquid arriving at the nozzle dischargeport 532 is accelerated by the flow turbulence through the baffled slot528. Additionally, the baffled slot 528 will also promote mixing toreverse any settling tendency of the medication during storage in thedispensing container.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications in various aspects may be made withoutdeparting from the broad scope of the invention. Consequently, the scopeof the invention is not limited by any particular embodiment but isdefined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A liquid dispensing containerfor particular use in containing and dispensing medication inself-application as for example drops thereof into the eye, comprising:a liquid storage cavity for said medication within a container having adischarge port and including a molded plastic housing; and at least onemetallic foil wall secured to said housing to define a manuallydisplaceable wall of said cavity arranged to enable reduction in thecavity volume and the compression and expulsion of said medication fromsaid cavity upon manual displacement of said foil wall.
 2. A containeraccording to claim 1 wherein a pair of said foil walls are secured tosaid housing in opposing relationship for opposing manual squeezingthereof.
 3. A container according to claim 1 wherein said housingincludes an integrally formed plastic wall arranged in opposingrelationship to said foil wall.
 4. A container according to claim 1wherein said foil wall includes plastic material laminated therein.
 5. Acontainer according to claim 1 wherein said housing is molded from highdensity polypropylene.
 6. A container according to claim 1 wherein saidhousing includes an internally projecting wall reducing volume of saidcavity therein.
 7. A container according to claim 1 further comprising alever member pivotally mounted on said housing and including adisplacement portion selectively pivoted to engage and deform said foilwall for said medication expulsion from said cavity.
 8. A containeraccording to claim 1 wherein said housing includes a liquid dischargenozzle in flow communication with said cavity; a closure cap removablydisposed on said nozzle; and obstructing means for preventingreattaching securement of said closure cap to said nozzle after removaltherefrom.
 9. A container according to claim 1 wherein said housingincludes a fill port therethrough and a foil panel covers said fillport.
 10. A container according to claim 9 wherein said foil panel formsa portion of said foil wall.
 11. A container according to claim 1further comprising a nozzle portion including said discharge port influid communication with said cavity for discharge of said medicationtherethrough in said self-application.
 12. A container according toclaim 11 wherein said nozzle portion is integrally molded with saidplastic housing to facilitate said self-application.
 13. A containeraccording to claim 11 wherein said nozzle portion is formed on saidhousing in opposing relationship relative to said secured foil wall. 14.A container according to claim 11 further comprising a closure capremovably disposed on said nozzle portion, said closure cap beingpivotally mounted on said housing to enable pivot of said closure capfrom said nozzle into displacing engagement against said foil wall forsaid medication expulsion from said cavity.
 15. A container according toclaim 11 further comprising a closure cap movably secured on saidhousing to enable movement from a first position removably disposed onsaid nozzle portion to a second position engaged to displace said foilwall to enable said medication expulsion from said cavity.
 16. Acontainer according to claim 11 wherein said nozzle portion anddischarge port therefrom are formed to receive a closure cap removablymounted on said nozzle portion to cover and seal said discharge portthereinside prior to removal therefrom for said self-application.
 17. Acontainer according to claim 16 wherein said foil wall extends intosealing engagement with said closure cap in order to provide tamperevidence indicated by tear in said foil wall upon removal of saidclosure cap.
 18. A container according to claim 16, wherein said closurecap includes a plug member projecting into said discharge port priorsaid removal.
 19. A liquid dispensing container for particular use incontaining and dispensing medication in self-application as for exampledrops thereof into the eye, comprising: a liquid storage cavity for saidmedication within a container including a molded plastic housing; atleast one metallic foil wall secured to said housing to define amanually displaceable wall of said cavity arranged to enable reductionin the cavity volume and the compression and expulsion of saidmedication from said cavity upon manual displacement of said foil wall;anozzle portion integrally molded with said plastic housing and dischargeport in fluid communication with said cavity for discharge of saidmedication therethrough in said self-application; a closure capremovably disposed on said nozzle portion to seal said discharge portprior to removal therefrom for said self-application, wherein said foilwall extends into sealing engagement with said closure cap in order toprovide tamper evidence indicated by tear in said foil wall upon removalof said closure cap and wherein said foil wall includes a portionthereof sealed to a tab formed on said closure cap.
 20. A dispensingcontainer construction for use in the containing and dispensing ofmedication in liquid or gel form, and for providing a controlled unitdosage of said medication, said container comprising: a molded plastichousing including an open cavity and a nozzle portion, with an openchannel leading from said cavity to said nozzle portion; and a metallicfoil wall secured to said housing and overlying both said open cavityand said open channel, which foil wall is manually displaceable toreduce the volume of said cavity and pressurize said liquid medicationto expel a quantity of said medication from said nozzle.
 21. A containerconstruction according to claim 20 wherein said open cavity in saidhousing extends through the housing and there is provided a secondmetallic foil wall defining a second displaceable wall for said cavity.22. A container construction according to claim 20, further including afill port formed in said housing and closable by a portion of said foilwall.
 23. A container construction according to claim 20 wherein saidcavity is defined by housing wall portions that extend inwardly of thecavity to reduce the amount of medication remaining in said containerafter dispensing.
 24. A container construction according to claim 20wherein said open channel includes baffle means for promoting turbulentflow of said medication therethrough.
 25. A liquid dispensing containerfor particular use in containing and dispensing medication inself-application as for example drops thereof into the eye, comprising:a liquid storage cavity for said medication within a container having adischarge port and including a molded plastic housing having a rigidbase wall; and at least one metallic foil wall secured to said housingto define a manually displaceable wall of said cavity arranged to enablereduction in the cavity volume and the compression and expulsion of saidmedication from said cavity and discharge port upon manual displacementof said foil wall.
 26. A container according to claim 25 wherein saidrigid base wall is arranged in opposing relationship to said foil wall.27. A container according to claim 25 further comprising a nozzleportion including said discharge port in fluid communication with saidcavity for discharge of said medication therethrough in saidself-application.
 28. A container according to claim 27 wherein saidnozzle portion is integrally molded with said plastic housing tofacilitate said self-application.
 29. A container according to claim 27further comprising a closure cap removably disposed on said nozzleportion to seal said discharge port prior to removal therefrom for saidself-application.
 30. A container according to claim 29 wherein saidfoil wall extends into sealing engagement with said closure cap in orderto provide tamper evidence indicated by tear in said foil wall uponremoval of said closure cap.
 31. A container according to claim 29wherein said foil wall includes a portion thereof sealed to a tab formedon said closure cap.
 32. A dispensing container construction for use inthe containing and dispensing of medication in liquid or gel form, andfor providing a controlled unit dosage of said medication, saidcontainer comprising:a molded plastic housing including an open cavitydefined by a concave wall of said housing which is contoured to theapproximate curvature of a typical finger; a nozzle portion, leadingfrom said cavity; and a metallic foil wall secured to said housing andoverlying said open cavity, which foil wall is manually displaceable toreduce the volume of said cavity and pressurize said liquid medicationto expel a quantity of said medication from said nozzle, promoted bypressing a finger to displace said foil and deform said foil intoconforming engagement against said concave contoured housing wall sothat substantially all of said medication can be displaced from saidcavity.